Former Manchester United defender, Gary Neville believes Pep Guardiola would love to sign Kobbie Mainoo for Manchester City following his impressive debut performance against Everton on Sunday.
Mainoo, a graduate of the United academy, made an impression during the preseason and was expected to start the season with the first team.
He missed nearly three months of action due to an ankle injury before making a comeback for the club’s under-21 squad at the end of October.
Erik ten Hag selected Mainoo in his starting lineup for the trip to Merseyside because Casemiro was sidelined due to an injury of his own. Goodison Park was expected to be electric for Everton’s first game following their 10-point deduction.
However, Neville said that Mainoo was up to the challenge and was United’s best player of the day.
What Did Neville Say About Mainoo?
He told Sky Sports as cited by Daily Express: “It was impressive and there’s no point getting carried away because the reality is he’s got 17 or 18 years in front of him and a lot of work to do.
“But sometimes when you see a player come in for the first time and their temperament… He’s obviously got technical ability and skill.
“You don’t play for Manchester United in the first place if you haven’t got that you don’t get picked by Erik ten Hag if you haven’t got that – but what you don’t know is how they’ll handle it.
Neville has seen enough of Mainoo, even though it is his first league start, to believe that he could play for rival City. The 48-year-old is happy the youngster is a part of United’s team, though.
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